PLYMOUTH -- The race between Republican candidates for the District 1 Marshall County Commissioner seat pits longtime party worker and incumbent John Zentz, 67, of Bremen, against political newcomer Jack Roose, 53, of Plymouth. The primary winner, carrying the Republican banner into the November general election, will see a Democrat more than ready to take that seat. But, for now, voters must decide between Zentz's longtime service or Roose's determination to reach beyond what he's termed "the old guard." Zentz said his strength is "experience, experience, experience." "Experience counts," he said. "You build working relationships not only within the county, but in the state legislature ... the Senate pro-tem speaker, and others ... are key when you're looking at legislation needing to be passed." Zentz said he also will be pushing for the commissioners to "look into getting into community development," as he favors creating a full-time economic development director. "I think sometimes we may lose industry to neighboring counties because we don't have the people putting in the pitch for us," Zentz said. "We need somebody out there doing it full time." He has received Sagamore of the Wabash awards from Indiana Govs. Otis Bowen, John Orr and Evan Bayh. Jack Roose said he is running for the office because he's "tired of personal agendas and power-hungry officials that ignore their constituents and spend money as if it were growing in the back yard." "Now that I have retired from United Parcel Service, I have the time to get more involved in local government and my community," Roose stated this week. "People need to remember that entering public service at this stage of my life, I have no baggage ... No one owes me, and I don't owe anyone. The decisions I make as commissioner will be made through the eyes of someone looking out for the county, not someone with 'an old friend' to take care of." Roose also said, in campaign literature, that taxpayers should demand elected officials consider the effect of their actions on those who elected them. He said better communication with the public, as well as other governmental agencies, is needed.